supposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an expectation or obligation regarding something that should happen or be done. Example: "You are supposed to submit your report by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She's supposed to go.

The New York Times

"They're supposed to".

The Guardian - Film

We're supposed to win".

The New York Times - Sports

It's supposed to happen".

The New York Times - Sports

He was supposed to.

The New Yorker

They are supposed to.

The Economist

"It's not supposed to".

The New York Times - Sports

It's supposed to be.

The New Yorker

"You're supposed to.

The New Yorker

That's supposed to matter.

The Economist

He is supposed to.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to" to clearly indicate expectations, obligations, or common beliefs. For increased clarity, ensure the context provides adequate information about who or what is imposing the expectation.

Common error

Avoid mistakenly using "supposed to" in place of "used to". "Supposed to" indicates an expectation or obligation, while "used to" describes a past habit or state. For example, use "I am supposed to submit the report today" (obligation), not "I used to submit the report today" (past habit).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to" functions primarily as a modal idiom, indicating obligation, expectation, or common belief. Examples in Ludwig highlight its use in expressing duties ("You're supposed to knock") and anticipated events ("It's supposed to rain"). Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically correct and usable idiom.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to" is a versatile idiom used to express expectations, obligations, or common beliefs. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is "very common", particularly in news and media contexts, denoting a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When writing, remember that "supposed to" is used to indicate expectation while avoiding confusion with "used to", which refers to past habits. Consider alternatives like "meant to" or "expected to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to

Indicates a pre-existing plan or intention, similar to a requirement or expectation.

ought to

Expresses moral obligation or advisability, carrying a stronger sense of duty.

expected to

Highlights anticipation of a particular outcome or behavior, focusing on what is foreseen.

required to

Emphasizes a formal necessity or imposed rule, suggesting a lack of choice.

obliged to

Implies a legal or moral compulsion, denoting a binding commitment.

duty to

Highlights a sense of responsibility or ethical imperative, stressing commitment.

bound to

Suggests inevitability or a high probability based on current circumstances.

predicted to

Focuses on forecasting or anticipating a future event or occurrence.

anticipated to

Emphasizes expectation and looking forward to an event.

forecast to

Highlights future expectations based on expert predictions or trends.

FAQs

How do I use "supposed to" in a sentence?

"Supposed to" indicates an expectation, obligation, or common belief. For instance: "You are "required to" submit your report by Friday", "It's "expected to rain" tomorrow", or "We are "meant to" meet at 3 PM".

What can I say instead of "supposed to"?

Alternatives include "meant to", "ought to", "expected to", or "required to", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "supposed to" or "suppose to"?

"Supposed to" is correct. "Suppose to" is a common misspelling. The 'd' at the end of "supposed" is essential for grammatical accuracy.

What's the difference between "supposed to" and "had to"?

"Supposed to" implies an expectation or obligation, while "had to" indicates a necessity or requirement that was actually fulfilled. For example, "I was supposed to submit the report" (expectation), versus "I had to submit the report" (completed action).